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Claire Sanders

Remedial Action Plan Coordinator  

Detroit River Canadian Cleanup 

Date: Saturday, December 27, 2014

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Weather: 9°C and cloudy

Location: corner of St. Thomas Street and Woodridge Drive, Town of Tecumseh

This was an extraordinary observation in our serene, suburban neighbourhood. My neighbour across the street knocked on my door and excitedly said, "Come on out and see the turkeys beside your house!" I thought it was a joke, but just in case, I ran and got my shoes; out the front door I flew. To my amazement, six Wild Turkeys were walking on the boulevard beside our home! My neighbour told me he saw them jump over the fence of a home down St. Thomas Street. Because of our presence on Woodridge Drive, the rafter of turkeys paraded around us and walked along the middle of St. Thomas Street. Cars on the road stopped and drivers were delighted to see the flock of birds. These wanderers were wary of the traffic and gaggle of people, so they scurried to the safety of the grassy area of the boulevard. The cautious hens sprinted and flew eastward along St. Thomas towards Centennial Drive, turned the corner and ambled north.

Another neighbour stopped his truck and told us these turkeys have been seen roving around town for the past 6 months. He said he had seen them on the west side of Lesperance Road. I'm thinking they're using the Blue Heron/East Riverside natural area to survive and visit local bird feeders in backyards. They eat seeds, snails, nuts and insects, so bird feeders must be providing some winter food.

"It is important to recognize and thank those who work vigilantly at creating a healthier environment in the Windsor-Essex region," said ERCA Chair Ed Sleiman.

Charles Desmarais of Stoney Point received the Conservation Farm Award for his ongoing stewardship of the land. Gertrude Paré was the recipient of the John R. Park Homestead Award for her preservation of traditional arts and Franco-Ontarien culture. Don Bissonnette, a leader in the protection of the Eastern Bluebird for over 25 years, was recognized for his volunteer efforts and the Essex County Field Naturalists' Club was honoured for three decades of commitment to volunteerism and environmental sustainability.

Nicole Palazzi, a teacher at WD Davis Public School, received an award for leadership in conservation education, and Caesars Windsor CodeGreen was lauded for their many environmental outreach and education initiatives that include their employees, guests and the broader community.

Mr. Gino Piccioni of Timberland Homes and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation were recognized with awards for Environmental Achievement. Mr. Piccioni has demonstrated his commitment to the environment and community through the preservation and enhancement of the Turkey Creek wetlands. He was also the developer of the first Energy Star community in the region. Over the past five years alone, the TD FEF has contributed $400,000 to more than 100 environmental projects in the Windsor-Essex region, many of which would not otherwise have been able to take place.

The Town of Lakeshore was awarded the Robert Pulleyblank Award for Municipal Environmental Achievement. The Town has significantly invested in environmental improvements over the past few years, including upgrades to its drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, waterfront improvement and rehabilitation, and re-greening efforts. Kris Ives, ERCA's Curator/Education Coordinator, and former DRCC RAP Assistant, was honoured with the Dennis Chase Staff Award for joy, optimism and love of local conservation.

 ERCA has published its 2014 Annual Report. Here's a short video of the year's highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3MYQMEj25M  

Conservation Award Winners, from left: Gino Piccioni, Kris Ives, Don Bissonnette, Jesse Gardner Costa, President-Essex County Field Natualists' Club, Gertrude Paré, Tracy Sansom, TD Bank Manager (LaSalle), Kelly Laforest and Kelly Gregoire, Caesars Windsor, Nicole Palazzi, Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain and Councillor Dave Monk (courtesy of ERCA).

• What is Detroit's contribution to toxic algae? (December 26)
• Cruise ships find Windsor port attractive (December 26)
• Icebreaking operation starts as dipping temperatures freeze lakes (January 8)
• The St. Clair and Detroit: A tale of two rivers, Part I (January 9)
• The St. Clair and Detroit: A tale of two rivers, Part II (January 16)
• The St. Clair and Detroit: A tale of two rivers, Part III (January 23)
• The St. Clair and Detroit: A tale of two rivers, Part IV (January 30)